South Warren rolls into 5A semifinals

Published 5:08 am Saturday, November 23, 2024

by Micheal Compton

The South Warren football team’s postseason dominance continued with a 42-7 win over North Bullitt in round three of the Class 5A state playoffs on Friday at South Warren High School.

South Warren (12-1) used a nearly perfect first half to take complete control and cruised from there, earning the program’s first region title since 2021. The Spartans have outscored opponents 115-28 through three rounds.

“We came in here and executed, did what we were supposed to do,” South Warren coach Brandon Smith said. “I thought the guys did a nice job staying focused and (now) we’ve got one more home game.”

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South Warren opened the scoring with a three-play, 23-yard drive — capped by a Bryce Button touchdown pass to Justin Capps to make the score 7-0 less than four minutes in.

The Spartans defense would add another score before the offense got the ball back — with Bradyn Martin getting the scoop and score on a fumble recovery, running 26 yards untouched after sacking North Bullitt quarterback Caden Dorsey.

“I was on a blitz (and) saw the ball on the ground,” Martin said. “Picked it up, scored. Touchdown. We work on our craft every day. I feel like our coaches are preparing us to be better and I feel like we are putting it all together at the right time.”

South Warren added three more scoring drives in the second quarter — all ending in touchdowns by Kayden York.

The junior back ran it in from 14 yards out on the first play of the second quarter and added a second touchdown run on the next drive of the half. York then added a receiving touchdown, a 14-yard connection with Button to make the score 35-0 and start the KHSAA-mandated running clock with 2:45 left in the first half.

The Spartans were a perfect 4-for-4 in scoring drives in the first half.

“We actually had a couple of (missed assignments), but our kids did a nice job of making plays,” Smith said. “In playoff time, it is not going to go perfect. You’ve got to have kids that can make some plays when it breaks down because that is how it goes. I thought we did a nice job.”

South Warren added Button’s third touchdown pass of the night on the first drive of the second half.

North Bullitt (7-6) was able to avoid the shutout with a score in the fourth quarter.

The Spartans outgained the Eagles 271-63, with the South Warren defense forcing two turnovers.

“I think our defense has been practicing well too,” Smith said. “They keep getting stronger and they keep getting better. They don’t seem to get satisfied. I think they are hungry to improve and keep moving forward. They love showing up in this game.”

Button finished 15-for-19 passing for 130 yards in limited action. York ran for 58 yards and added 26 yards receiving, anchoring a running game that amassed 119 yards on the ground.

“We missed a few things, but other than that we found a way to get the job done and get out of here (with the win),” Button said.

South Warren advances to host Bowling Green in the Class 5A semifinals on Nov. 29 in the final meeting between the two teams before the Spartans move up to 6A next season. It will be the sixth postseason meeting between the two schools since 2017 and the latest the two teams have ever met in the playoffs.

“It should be exciting,” Smith said. “I think from a community standpoint it doesn’t get any better than that. Football in this area — you get two programs like us two the day after Thanksgiving. That is going to be a lot of fun.”

NBHS 0 0 0 7 — 7

SWHS 14 21 7 0 — 42

First quarter

SW — Justin Capps 13 pass from Bryce Button (Alen Alic kick), 8:49

SW — Bradyn Martin 26 fumble return (Alic kick), 5:40

Second quarter

SW — Kayden York 14 run (Alic kick), 11:56

SW — York 2 run (Alic kick), 7:36

SW — York 14 pass from Button (Alic kick), 2:45

Third quarter

SW — PJ Ward 15 pass from Button (Alic kick), 7:00

Fourth quarter

NB — Avery Kelly 4 run (Kotey Hill kick), 8:18

About Micheal Compton

I am a sports reporter and movie critic for the Bowling Green Daily News.

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